Bilingual, Online Counseling in Illinois and California

Welcome to Sunflower Path Counseling, where my mission is to help you find light even in life’s darkest moments. Just as sunflowers turn toward the sun, I’m here to support you on your path to hope, healing, and growth. Together, let’s move toward brighter days.

Who We Help

Sunflower Path provides expert, effective individual counseling services. We specialize in teens, college students, adults, and Spanish-speaking immigrants.

Counseling Services

The primary areas of our counseling practice are trauma, complex trauma, complex PTSD, narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, toxic or abusive relationships, as well as a full range of women’s issues. We also conduct psychological evaluations for Immigration.

Treatments & Methods

In addition to standard counseling best practices, we leverage a wealth of advanced treatments to deliver a holistic and individualized approach to healing. These include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EDMR), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based techniques.

Our Specialties

  • Narcissistic Abuse
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Stress
  • Post-Partum Depression
  • Domestic Violence
  • Immigration Issues
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Teenage Self-Harm
  • Grief & Loss
  • Parenting issues
  • Women’s Issues

Meet Monica Alvarez, Counselor, LCPC

I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) licensed psychotherapist in Illinois and California. I have experience helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, narcissistic abuse, post-partum depression, domestic violence, immigration issues, suicidal thoughts, teenage self -harm, coping with grief and loss, and parenting issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming your challenges.

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Get in touch.

Sunflowers are a beautiful reminder that even in the harshest conditions, strength and resilience can flourish. Standing tall, they reach toward the light, symbolizing longevity and unwavering determination. They remind us that, just like them, we too can grow, find enlightenment, and experience personal transformation even during life’s toughest moments. Let the sunflower inspire you to keep turning toward the light, embracing each day as an opportunity for growth and spiritual awakening.

Close-up of two sunflower heads facing each other with vibrant yellow petals and green leaves.
Woman wearing a pink blazer, black top, and jewelry, smiling with crossed legs, seated on a chair.

My approach

I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, domestic violence, parenting issues, women’s issues and I’m EMDR-trained to help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences. My goal is to create a supportive, compassionate space where you can grow and thrive. Let’s work together to help you find clarity and healing—schedule a session today!

My Story

As an immigrant from Colombia, I arrived in the U.S. at 17 and worked tirelessly to put myself through college and graduate school while navigating the challenges of acculturation, language barriers, and cultural differences. These personal struggles shaped my deep understanding of resilience and compassion.

With over a decade of experience in crisis care at a psychiatric hospital in Chicago and my work as an outpatient therapist, I’ve supported individuals facing depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and life transitions. Combining my personal journey with evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and spirituality, I strive to truly connect with each client, seeing life through their perspective.

Together, we’ll face life’s storms with love, courage, and compassion, finding a path to healing and hope.

Virtual Therapy/Telehealth | Hablamos Español | Night & Weekend Appointments | Sliding Scale | Insurance Accepted | Immigration Evaluations

Virtual Therapy/Telehealth | Hablamos Español | Night & Weekend Appointments | Sliding Scale | Insurance Accepted | Immigration Evaluations

telehealth

$120

Sunflower Path Counseling specializes in identifying and enhancing key psychological areas to improve personal and professional outcomes.

Person holding a United States passport, standing above a tiled floor.

$900-1,200 (Includes 2 telehealth interviews, detailed written report and communication with your attorney)

Sunflower Counseling Path offers professional mental health evaluations to help individuals who are navigating difficult immigration cases, such as:

*Extreme Hardship

*DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

*VAWA Violence Against Women Act

*U-Visa

*T-Visa

Scheduling your first counseling appointment is a brave step toward healing and growth. You don’t have to face your challenges alone—let’s work together in a safe, supportive space. Take that first step today and schedule your appointment.

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Accepting new clients in Illinois and California

Insurance Accepted in Illinois

  • BCBS of Massachusetts

  • Carelon Behavioral Health

  • Devoted Health Care Medicare Advantage

  • Horizon Blue Cross of New Jersey

  • Oscar Optum

  • Oxford Optum

  • Quest Behavioral Health (Optum)

  • United Healthcare Medicare Advantage

  • Aetna Medicare

  • Humana Medicare

  • EAP Cigna

  • EAP United Health Care / Optum

  • BCBS of IL (HMO)

 

Insurance Accepted in California

  • Santa Clara Family Health Plan

  • Optum Medicare

  • Centene Medi-Cal

  • Kaiser NorCal-MediCal

  • Health Plan of San Joaquin

  • Blue Shield Medicare

  • Blue Shield Medicaid

  • Aetna Medicare

  • Humana Medicare

  • Carelon Medi-Cal

  • Kern Family Health Care- MediCal

  • Kaiser NorCal

  • Aetna

  • Optum

  • Carlon

  • Cigna

  • Magellan

  • Health Net

  • EAP Cigna

  • Carelon Behavioral Health

  • Oxford Optum

  • BCBS of California

  • UHC Medicare Advantage

  • Independence Blue Cross